Turbine with dynamically adaptable savonius blades

ABSTRACT

An apparatus may include a cage that rotates around a cage axis and a turbine located at an end of the cage and rotating around a turbine axis. A turbine blade may have an adaptable shape. A frame of the turbine blade may have a first frame portion that pivots relative to the second frame portion. The curvature of the turbine blade may be controlled by shortening a connection while concurrently lengthening another connection. Controllers may control the rotation of the cage(s) and/or turbine(s) based on a speed, a direction, a velocity, an acceleration of wind, and/or a load carried by the apparatus. The apparatus may be a Savonius machine. Rotation of the cage(s) and/or turbine(s) may induce a Magnus effect. A seat and user controls near the seat may be included. The user controls may control the rotation of the cage(s) and/or turbine(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims the benefit of and right of priority toprovisional U.S. patent application No. 61/832,815, titled, “SavoniusMachine With Dynamically Adaptable Blade,” filed Jun. 8, 2013, theentirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a machine and, moreparticularly, to a turbine with dynamically adaptable Savonius blades.

BACKGROUND

A turbine may use wind to turn a shaft. The turning shaft has kineticenergy. The kinetic energy of the turning shaft may be converted toelectrical power. Existing turbines may include blades. However, suchblades typically have fixed shapes. The shape of the blades of a turbinecan substantially affect the effectiveness of the turbine. Windconditions (e.g., speed, velocity, acceleration, etc.) can vary fromtime to time. Blades that are fixed in shape may inhibit the turbinefrom performing effectively under varying wind conditions. Accordingly,existing designs of turbines may benefit from improvements that overcomesuch limitations.

SUMMARY

Various features described herein may be embodied in variousapparatuses. Non-limiting examples of such apparatuses may includevarious machines (e.g., a Savonius machine), various turbines, and anyapparatus configured to use wind to generate kinetic energy. Althoughthe term “apparatus” or “apparatuses” may be used herein, such a termshall not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

An apparatus may include at least a cage configured to rotate around acage axis, and a Savonius turbine located at an end of the cage. Theturbine may be configured to rotate around a turbine axis. The turbineaxis may be different from the cage axis. The turbine may include aturbine blade having an adaptable shape. The turbine blade may include aframe. The frame may include a first frame portion and a second frameportion coupled to the first frame portion. The first frame portion maybe configured to pivot relative to the second frame portion.

The apparatus may include a first connection between a first side of anend of the frame and a center region of the frame. The apparatus mayalso include a second connection between a second side of the first endof the frame and the center region of the frame. The apparatus may alsoinclude a turbine controller. The turbine controller may be configuredto at least maintain, shorten, or lengthen at least the first connectionor the second connection.

The first frame portion may be configured to pivot relative to thesecond frame portion when at least the first connection or the secondconnection is at least shortened or lengthened. The adaptable shape ofthe turbine blade may include a flat shape when a length of the firstconnection is similar to a length of the second connection. Theadaptable shape of the turbine blade may include a curvature when alength of the first connection is different from a length of the secondconnection. The turbine controller may be configured to control thecurvature of the turbine blade by shortening the first connection whileconcurrently lengthening the second connection or by shortening thesecond connection while concurrently lengthening the first connection.

The apparatus may include a cage controller configured to control therotation of the cage around the cage axis. The cage controller may beconfigured to control the rotation of the cage based on at least aspeed, a direction, a velocity, or an acceleration of wind. The turbinecontroller may be configured to control the rotation of the turbinebased on the location of the turbine on a rotational path of the cage.The turbine controller may be configured to control the rotation of theturbine based on at least the speed, the direction, the velocity, theacceleration of the wind, a rotational speed of the cage, a location ofthe turbine blade relative to the turbine axis, or a location of theturbine on a circular path around the cage axis

The cage controller may be configured to control the rotation of thecage based on a mode of the apparatus. The turbine controller may beconfigured to control the rotation of the turbine based on the mode ofthe apparatus. When the apparatus is in a mode, the cage controller maybe configured to inhibit the rotation of the cage around the cage axis,and the turbine controller may be configured to allow the rotation ofthe turbine around the turbine axis. When the apparatus is in a mode,the cage controller may be configured to allow the rotation of the cagearound the cage axis, and the turbine controller may be configured toallow the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis. The apparatusmay be a Savonius turbine. Blades of the Savonius turbine may extendmore horizontally than vertically relative to ground. The rotation ofthe cage around the cage axis and/or the rotation of the turbine aroundthe turbine axis may induce a Magnus effect. The Magnus effect may liftthe apparatus above the ground. The apparatus may include a plurality ofcages in various directions that may differ relative to each otherand/or with various angles that may differ relative to each other. Anumber of the plurality of cages may be based on the lift needed to liftthe apparatus and/or a load above ground. The apparatus may include aplurality of turbines. A number of the plurality of turbines may bebased on the lift needed to lift the apparatus and/or the apparatus anda load above ground. A number of the plurality of turbines may be basedon various dimensions (e.g., the size, such as the length, the width,the height, etc.) of one or more of the cages.

The apparatus may include a seat and user controls near the seat. Theuser controls may be configured for use by a user seated on the seat.The user controls may be configured to control at least the cagecontroller or the turbine controller. The apparatus may be configured tobe connected to a motor. The motor may be configured to convert kineticenergy from the rotation of the cage around the cage axis to electricenergy. The motor may be configured to convert kinetic energy from therotation of the turbine around the turbine axis to electric energy.

The apparatus may be configured to hold a load. A load may be carried orhanged from the belt holders, the cage axis, or both the belt holdersand the cage axis.

In addition to user controls, the apparatus may have manual steering.Such manual steering may be related certain mechanisms implemented inparagliders. Such manual steering mechanisms may enable the user to landthe apparatus safely should the control and/or power system fail duringflight.

Each arm that connects to a motor of the Savonius blades may besupported by two of the cage belt portions, two cables that connect anarm to the other two arms and/or the tension cables/strips.

The foregoing is merely a summary of various features described ingreater detail herein. Additional features are also described herein.The embodiments described herein may be implemented in any combinationor sub-combination, even if not explicitly described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a side perspective view of asingle-cage apparatus.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a side perspective view of an exampleof a double-cage apparatus according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a side perspective view of anotherexample of an apparatus according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3B are diagrams illustrating side views of various portions ofan apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a side perspective view of an exampleof various motor components of an apparatus according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional side view of aportion of an example turbine of an apparatus according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6C are diagrams illustrating various cross-sectional views ofvarious portions of an example turbine of an apparatus according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7B are diagrams illustrating various cross-sectional views ofvarious portions of an example of blade controllers of an apparatusaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bracket according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pivots distributorspring according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein is a description of various embodiments of variousfeatures. However, the description provided herein is not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that the features described herein may be embodiedin additional and/or alternative embodiments without deviating from thescope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus 10according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The cageitself is a kind of turbine when the direction of its blades arecontrolled and harmonized. The blades of this turbine are adaptable inshape such that the shape of the blade may vary from a Savonius blade toa flat blade and possibly to a Savonius blade of an opposite direction,shape, configuration and/or orientation.

The apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1A is a cage that rotates aroundthe cage axis 102. The cage may include at least one Savoniusturbine/blade. For example, the cage rotating around cage axis 102includes turbines 162, 164, 166. Although three turbines are illustratedfor the cage in the example apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, one ofordinary skill will understand that the scope of the present disclosureis not limited by the number of turbine illustrated in FIG. 1. Forexample, the apparatus 10 may include a greater number or a fewer numberof Savonius turbines/blades for the cage without deviating from thescope of the present disclosure.

The turbines/blades may be located at an end of the cage. For example,turbines 162, 164, 166 are supported by arms 114, 118, 116, on one sideand by arms 142, 140, 138, on the other side, respectively, which extendfrom the cage axis 102. As such, the turbines 162, 164, 166 are locatedat the end of the cage rotating around the cage axis 102.

The cage axis 102 may include a connection point to which the armsupporting the turbines is connected. For example, the connection point106 is connected to the arms 114, 116, 118, which support turbines 162,166, 164, respectively. As another example, the connection point 108 isconnected to arms 138, 140, 142, which support turbines 166, 164, 162,respectively.

A turbine/blade may rotate around its own turbine axis. The turbine axismay be different from the cage axis. For example, the turbine axisaround which turbine 162 rotates is different from the cage axis 102around which the corresponding cage rotates. The turbine may include aturbine blade, and the turbine blade may be adaptable in shape.Additional details regarding the adaptable shape of the turbine blade isprovided below, inter alia, with reference to FIG. 5.

A turbine may be connected to another turbine by a belt. The belt may beinvolved with the rotation of the cage around the respective cage axis.As such, the belt may also be referred to as a cage belt. For example,the belt portion 124, 126, 128 and 144, 146, 148 may be involved withthe rotation of the cage around the cage axis 102. Belt holders 190 mayinclude an elastic material that may be connected to a portion of thebelt and/or a leg 191, 192 of the apparatus 10.

The belt may contact an end region of the turbine. For example, turbines162, 164, 166 may have end regions 174, 176, 178, on one side, and 173,175, 177 on the other side, respectively. Each belt portion 124, 126,128, 144, 146, 148 may make contact with two of the end regions 174,176, 178, 173, 175, 177 of the turbines 162, 164, 166. The end regions174, 176, 178, 173, 175, 177, may include electric motors and/orelectric generators, which will be described in greater detail below,inter alia, with reference to FIG. 4.

The apparatus 10 may include a cage controller. The cage controller mayinclude software components (e.g., non-transitory computer readablemedium), hardware components (e.g., circuits, memory, power, etc.),mechanical components (e.g., levers, motors, hinges, etc.), and anycombination of one or more of the foregoing components. The cagecontroller may be configured to control the rotation of the cage aroundthe cage axis. The cage controller may be configured to control therotation of the cage based on at least a speed, a direction, a velocity,or an acceleration of wind and a load (e.g., a weight, a person, anobject, etc. that is not otherwise part of the apparatus). The apparatusmay include one or more turbine/blade controllers. The turbinecontroller may include software components (e.g., non-transitorycomputer readable medium), hardware components (e.g., circuits, memory,power, etc.), mechanical components (e.g., levers, motors, hinges,etc.), and any combination of one or more of the foregoing components.The turbine controller(s) may control one or more turbines. The turbinecontroller may be configured to control the rotation of theturbine/blade based on at least the speed, the direction, the velocity,or the acceleration of wind and the location of the turbine/blade on therotational path 180 of the cage.

The cage controller and/or turbine controller(s) may be located invarious locations of the apparatus 10 without deviating from the scopeof the present disclosure. For example, the cage controller and/orturbine controller(s) may be located at or near the user controls of theuser. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the cagecontroller and/or turbine controller(s) may additionally and/oralternatively be located at any other location of the apparatus 10.

The cage controller may be configured to control the rotation of thecage based on a mode of the apparatus 10. The turbine controller may beconfigured to control the rotation of the turbine based on the mode ofthe apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 may operate in various modes withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure. An example of a modeis a ‘first turbine mode.’ One of ordinary skill in the art understandsthat ‘first turbine mode’ is a descriptive phrase, and such a mode maybe referred to by any other term and/or name without deviating from thescope of the present disclosure. When the apparatus 10 is in such amode, the cage controller may be configured to inhibit the rotation ofthe cage around the cage axis, and the turbine controller may beconfigured to allow the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis.For example, the cage controller may be configured to inhibit therotation of the cage around the cage axis 102, and the turbinecontroller may be configured to allow the rotation of one or more of theturbines 162, 164, 166 around their respective turbine axis. One ofordinary skill in the art understands that a mode may require more thanone cage (e.g., two or more cages). In such a mode, the lock 414 may beactive and inhibit the cage to rotate about its axis 102, the clutch 412may disconnect the gearbox 416 from the motor 410, the clutch 408 mayconnect the gearbox 406 to the motor 410, and the motor 410 may rotateutilizing the power of the wind 206, which may be harvested by therespective Savonius blade and transferred to the turbine shaft 404 andto the gearbox 406.

Another example of a mode is a ‘second turbine mode.’ One of ordinaryskill in the art understands that ‘second turbine mode’ is a descriptivephrase, and such a mode may be referred to by any other term and/or namewithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. When theapparatus 10 is in such a mode, the cage controller may be configured toallow the rotation of the cage around the cage axis, and the turbinecontroller may be configured to allow the rotation of the turbine aroundthe turbine axis in a controlled manner. For example, the cagecontroller may be configured to allow the rotation of the cage aroundthe cage axis 102, and the turbine controller may be configured tocontrol the movement of one or more of the turbines 162, 164, 166 aroundthe respective turbine axis in a way to provide the optimum liftingforce at all times. In such a mode, the lock 414 may be inactive,allowing the cage to rotate about its axis 102, the clutch 412 mayconnect its cage shaft 420 to the motor 410 via its respective gearbox416, and the clutch 408 may disconnect the gearbox 406 from the motor410. Also, the motor 410 may rotate utilizing the power of the wind 206,which may be harvested by the cage.

Another example of a mode is a ‘hybrid mode.’ One of ordinary skill inthe art understands that ‘hybrid mode’ is a descriptive phrase, and sucha mode may be referred to by any other term and/or name withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure. When the apparatus10 is in such a mode, the cage controller may be configured to allow therotation of the cage around the cage axis, and the turbine controllermay be configured to allow the rotation of the turbine around theturbine axis. For example, the cage controller may be configured toallow the rotation of the cage around the cage axis 102, and the turbinecontroller may be configured to allow the rotation of one or more of theturbines 162, 164, 166 around the respective turbine axis. One ofordinary skill in the art understands that many alternativeconfigurations and/or embodiments may exist in accordance with variousmethods for absorbing and/or harvesting wind energy and/or transportinga load based on at least wind conditions and/or size of the load. Insuch a mode, the lock 414 may be inactive, allowing the cage to rotateabout its axis 102, the clutch 412 may connect its cage shaft 420 to themotor 410 via its respective gearbox 416, and the clutch 408 maydisconnect the gearbox 406 from the motor 410. Also, the motor 410 mayrotate by the power of the power generator/storage 196.

Yet another example of a mode is a ‘glide mode’. One of ordinary skillin the art understands that ‘glide mode’ is a descriptive phrase, andsuch a mode may be referred to by any other term and/or name withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure. When the apparatus10 is in such a mode, the cage controller may be configured to inhibitthe rotation of the cage around the cage axis, and the turbinecontroller may be configured to inhibit the rotation of the turbinearound the turbine axis. For example, the cage controller may beconfigured to inhibit the rotation of the cage around the cage axis 102,and the turbine controller may be configured to inhibit the rotation ofone or more of the turbines 162, 164, 166 around the respective turbineaxis, and the direction of Savonius blade may be controlled by theturbine shaft 404. In such a mode, the lock 414 is active, therebyinhibiting the cage from rotating about its axis 102, the clutch 412disconnects its cage shaft 420 from motor 410, and the clutch 408 mayconnect the gearbox 406 to the motor 410. Also, the motor 410 may rotateby the power of power generator/storage 196. The movement direction ofthe turbine shaft 404 in this mode may be free from the direction of therotation of the motor 410 and may be controlled by the turbinecontroller.

The rotation of a cage around its cage axis may induce a Magnus effect,and the Magnus effect may induce a lift of the apparatus above theground. For example, the rotation of one or more of the cages around thecage axis 102, may induce a Magnus effect, which lifts the apparatus 10above the ground and into the air. Additionally or alternatively, therotation of a turbine/blade around its turbine axis may induce a Magnuseffect, and the Magnus effect may induce a lift of the apparatus abovethe ground. For example, the rotation of one or more of the turbines162, 164, 166, may induce a Magnus effect, which lifts the apparatus 10above the ground.

The apparatus 10 may include an electric power generator/storage 196.Although the example apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1A shows the powergenerator/storage 196 located on leg 192, one of ordinary skill in theart will understand that the power generator/storage 196 may be locatedin other portions of the apparatus 10, or even separate from theapparatus 10, without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

A motor in the apparatus 10 may be configured to convert kinetic energyfrom the rotation of a cage around the cage axis (e.g., cage axis 102)to electric energy. The motor may also be configured to convert kineticenergy from the rotation of a turbine/blade (e.g., one or more of theturbines 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172) around the respective turbineaxis to electric energy.

The three major parameters that can be controlled according to thepresent disclosure include movement relative to a respective cage axis,movement relative to a respective turbine/blade axis, and control of theshape of each blade. There exist at least two modes for transportation,such as a flight mode and a glide mode. In some configurations of theflight mode, each cage may move freely about its own axis, movementabout each turbine/blade axis may be controlled according to itsposition with respect to a rotational path 180 of the cage, windconditions, and/or the shape of each turbine/blade, which may bedynamically adapted to provide a controlled optimum lift at all times.In some configurations of the glide mode, movement with respect to therespective cage axis, movement with respect to the turbine/blade axismay be restricted, and the shape of each blade may be held fixed. Theremay also exist two modes for electric generation, such as a firstturbine mode and a second turbine mode. In some configurations of thefirst turbine mode, movement with respect to the respective cage axismay be restricted, the turbine/blade may move freely with respect to itsrespective axis, and the shape of the blade may be held fixed. In someconfigurations of the second turbine mode, movement of the cage may beallowed, movement of the turbine/blade may be controlled according toits position with the rotational path 180 of the cage, and the shape ofthe turbine/blade may be dynamically adapted to provide a controlledoptimum lift at all times.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of a double cage apparatus100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Theapparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1B includes two cages. A first cagerotates around the cage axis 102 along the circular path 180. A secondcage rotates around the cage axis 104 along the circular path 188. Thecage axes 102, 104 may be connected together at connection 136 with awide angle. The connection 136 may route control signals (e.g., usercontrols) and electric power to an appropriate cage axis. Although twocages are illustrated in the example apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1B, oneof ordinary skill will understand that the scope of the presentdisclosure is not limited by the number of cages illustrated in FIG. 1B.For example, the apparatus 100 may include an electrical vehicle, (e.g.a bicycle, a boat, etc.), a propeller, a greater number of cages, and/ora fewer number of cages without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Similar to the first cage, as shown the second cage alsoincludes belt portion 158, 160, 156 and 130, 132, 134 that may beinvolved with the rotation of the cage around the cage axis 104 and anarm 193. Each belt portion may make contact with two of the end regions182, 184, 186 of the turbines of the second cage. As shown, turbines ofthe second cage are supported by arms 150, 152, 154, on one side and byarms 120, 122, 123, on the other side connected by the connection points110 and 112, respectively, which extend from the cage axis 104.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be, in part or in whole,referred to as a Savonius turbine. Blades of the turbines extend morehorizontally than vertically relative to ground. For example, the cageaxis 102, 104 and the turbine axis of one or more of the turbines 162,164, 166, 168, 170, 172 extend more in a horizontal direction (i.e., adirection substantially parallel to the ground) than in a verticaldirection (i.e., a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground)in order to provide further stability to the apparatus 100 during, forexample, the second turbine mode.

The apparatus 100 may include any number of cages and/or any number ofturbines without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, asdescribed above. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the apparatus 100 mayinclude a plurality of cages. The exact number of cages may be based onthe lift needed to lift the apparatus 100 and a load above the ground.Also, the exact number of turbines may be based on the size of the cage.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be, in part or in whole,referred to as a Savonius turbine. Blades of the turbine extend morehorizontally than vertically relative to ground. For example, the cageaxis 102, 104 and the turbine axis of one or more of the turbines 162,164, 166, 168, 170, 172 extend more in a horizontal direction (i.e., adirection substantially parallel to the ground) than in a verticaldirection (i.e., a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground).

The apparatus 100 may include a seat 194 and user controls near the seat194. The user controls may be configured for use by a user seated on theseat 194. The user controls may be configured to control the cagecontroller and/or the turbine controller. For example, a user may useuser controls while seated in the seat 194, and the user controls maysend control signals through leg 192. Control signals destined for thecages and/or turbines reach their respective destinations. The apparatus100 may include a power generator 196. Although the example apparatus100 illustrated in FIG. 1B shows the power generator 196 locatedunderneath the seat 194, one of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that the power generator 196 and/or user controls may belocated in other portions of the apparatus 100, or even separate fromthe apparatus 100, without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The apparatus 100 may include motors. A motor 400 of the apparatus 100may be configured to convert kinetic energy from the rotation of a cagearound the cage axis (e.g., cage axis 102, 104) to electric energy. Themotor 400 may be configured to convert kinetic energy from the rotationof a turbine (e.g., one or more of the turbines 162, 164, 166, 168, 170,172) around the respective turbine axis to electric energy. The motor400 may be configured to turn a cage and/or the Savonius turbine/blade.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example of the apparatus 100.In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus 100 is connected bya connecting element 202 to ground 204. The connecting element 202 maybe a rope, a conducting wire, a plastic, a metal, any combinationthereof, and/or any other suitable element. For example, the connectingelement 202 may connect the leg 192 of the apparatus 100 to the powergenerator/storage 196 and/or seat 194, which may be connected to theground 204.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, wind 206 traveling in the air may cause theturbine blades of the apparatus 100 to turn (e.g., rotate relative tothe respective turbine axis). As also illustrated in FIG. 2, wind 206traveling in the air may cause the cage(s) of the apparatus to turn(e.g., rotate relative to the respective cage axis). The turning (e.g.,rotation) of cages and/or turbines/blades may induce the Magnus effectand, thereby, cause the apparatus 100 to lift above the ground 204, asdescribed in greater detail above.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the turning ofeach cage and the turning of each turbine may be controlled individuallybased on various factors. For example, such control may be used forpurposes of steering and navigation (e.g., turning left and/or turningright). As another example, such control may be used for purposes ofascent and/or descent (e.g., going up in elevation and/or going down inelevation). Such control may also be used for maintaining substantiallystill in the air, going forward or going backward, (e.g., adjusting thecage and/or turbines such that the apparatus 100 remains substantiallystill, going forward or going backward, during changing windconditions).

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a side view of the apparatus 10, 100.Specifically, the side view is down the axis of rotation of the cage(s)of the apparatus 10, 100. In FIG. 3A, a vertical axis 310 and ahorizontal axis 312 are shown for illustrative purposes. The cage(s) ofthe apparatus 10, 100 may rotate along the rotational path 180. The beltmay include the belt portions 124, 126, 128, as described in greaterdetail above. The turbines 162, 164, 166 may rotate in the areas 302,304, 306 illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating another side view of the apparatus 10,100. Specifically, the side view is down the axis of rotation of one ofthe turbine(s) of the apparatus 10, 100 (e.g., down the axis of rotationof turbine 162 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 3A). The turbine (e.g.,turbine 162 illustrated in FIG. 3B) may rotate along the rotational path302. The end portions of the turbine(s) (e.g., end path 174) may relateto a line 314, wherein the line 314 rotates along the area 302.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a side perspective view of an exampleof various motor components 400 of the apparatus 10, 100. One ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the example illustratedin FIG. 4 is provided for illustrative purposes only and alternativeand/or additional components may be included (or excluded) withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure. The apparatus 10,100 may have fewer modes if any one or more components are excluded fromthe motor 400. In the non-limiting example illustrated in FIG. 4, themotor components 400 may include a control power supply shaft 402, aturbine shaft 404, a first gear box 406, a first clutch 408, an electricmotor/generator 410, a second clutch 412, a lock 414, a second gear box416, a cage pulley 418, and/or a cage pulley shaft 420. In someembodiments, such motor components 400 may be located in the end regions(e.g., end regions 174, 176, 178, 173, 175, 177) of the turbines (e.g.,turbines 162, 164, 166). However, one of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that such motor components 400 may be located in any otherportion of the apparatus 100 without deviating from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional side view of aportion of an example turbine 500 of the apparatus 10, 100. As describedabove, the turbine 500 may have a turbine blade 502 having an adaptableshape. The shape of the turbine blade 502 may be adapted based onvarious factors, as described in greater detail below. The turbine blade502 may include a flexible material, may be connected, adhered, coupled,attached, latched, and/or otherwise associated with the frame of theturbine blade 502 at various locations. The frame of the turbine 500 mayinclude one or more portions. For example, the frame of the turbine 500may include a first frame portion 506 and a second frame portion 504.The first frame portion 506 may be coupled to the second frame portion504. For example, the first frame portion 506 may be connected to thesecond frame portion 504 at the pivot point 508. The first frame portion506 may be configured to pivot relative to the second frame portion 504.Such pivoting allows the frame to affect the shape of the turbine blade502 and, thus, the overall turbine 500. One of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that the example illustrated in FIG. 5 is provided forillustrative purposes only and alternative and/or additional componentsmay be included (or excluded) without deviating from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

The turbine 500 may also have other components without deviating fromthe scope of the present disclosure. For example, the first frameportion 506 may be connected to another frame portion 540 at anotherpivot point 536. Frame portion 540 may be fixedly attached to the core534. As another example, the second frame portion 504 may be connectedto yet another frame portion 542 at yet another pivot point 538. Theframe of the turbine blade 500 may include additional, alternative, orfewer components without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. The size of each frame portion may be different from theother frame portions and may be arranged in such a way so as to be ableto configure one side of the blade as a front wing/blade in a glide modeand the other side may be configured as a tail of the wing/blade. Thenumber of frame portions of one side may be different from the number offrame portions of the other side of the turbine blade.

The turbine 500 may also include various connections between an end ofthe frame of the turbine and a center region of the frame of theturbine. For example, the turbine 500 may include a first connection(e.g., a connection including cable 526 and arm 522) between a firstside (e.g., A) of a first end (e.g., end 510) that is fixed to the frameportion 542 and a center region (e.g., location U near core 534). Theturbine 500 may also include a second connection (e.g., a connectionincluding cable 528 and arm 524) between a second side (e.g., B) of thefirst end (e.g., end 510) of the frame portion 542 and the center region(e.g., location V near core 534). As described above, the apparatus 100may include a turbine controller. The turbine controller may beconfigured to control the first connection and/or the second connection.For example, the turbine controller may be configured to at leastmaintain, shorten, or lengthen at least the first connection or thesecond connection. The turbine controller may be configured to performadditional functions (e.g., control other connections) without deviatingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. The end 510 is fixed to theframe portion 542 however it may be fixed to any other portion(s) of theframe. Movement of each frame portion may also be separately controlled.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may also include arms located onthe sides of the frame of the turbine 500. For example, the arms 512,514 may be located on the sides of the frame portions 504, 506. Sucharms may provide mechanical support and facilitate in the movement ofthe cables described above. In some embodiments, each arm may also havea roller at the end of the arm. For example, the arms 512, 514 may haverollers 516, 518, respectively. The cables 526, 528 may roll on theroller 516, 518. The arms 512, 514 may also have springs 520, 521,respectively. The springs may provide a force onto the arms such thatthe arms 512, 514 are pushed in a direction that is away from the frameand or turbine blade 502. The foregoing are merely some examples ofsupporting the cables 526, 528. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that various other examples of supporting the cables 526, 528exist and may be implemented without deviating from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

The cables 526, 528 may each be lengthened and/or shortened. Forexample, cable 526 may be shortened such that A is closer to U. Asanother example, cable 528 may be lengthened such that B is farther fromV. Such shortening(s) and/or lengthening(s) allow the frame portions504, 506, 542, 540 to pivot relative to each other (e.g., a pivot point508, 538, 536), thereby allowing the turbine blade 502 to have a curvedshape. The curvature of the turbine blade 502 may be controlled by theextent to which the first connection (e.g., the connection includingcable 526) is shortened and lengthened and the extent to which thesecond connection (e.g., the connection including cable 528) islengthened or shortened, respectively.

As described above, the first frame portion 506 is configured to pivot(e.g., at pivot point 508) relative to the second frame portion 504 whenthe first connection (e.g., the connection including cable 526) and/orthe second connection (e.g., the connection including cable 528) isshortened and/or lengthened. Accordingly, the adaptable shape of theturbine blade 502 includes a curvature when the length of the firstconnection (e.g., the connection including cable 526) is different fromthe length of the second connection (e.g., the connection includingcable 528). In comparison, the adaptable shape of the turbine blade 502has a flat shape when the length of the first connection (e.g., theconnection including cable 526) is similar to the length of the secondconnection (e.g., the connection including cable 528). The turbinecontroller may be configured to control the curvature of the turbineblade 502 by shortening the first connection (e.g., the connectionincluding cable 526) while concurrently lengthening the secondconnection (e.g., the connection including cable 528). The turbinecontroller may also be configured to control the curvature of theturbine blade 502 by shortening the second connection (e.g., theconnection including cable 528) while concurrently lengthening the firstconnection (e.g., the connection including cable 526).

FIGS. 6A-6C are diagrams illustrating various cross-sectional views ofvarious portions of an example turbine 680 of the apparatus 100. Asdescribed in greater detail above, the apparatus 100 may include motorcomponents 400. As also described in greater detail above, the apparatusmay include arms 114, 142. Arm 114 has two connection points 613 and615. The turbine 680 may also include a bracket 652. The bracket 652 mayinclude regions 654, wherein the pins 511, 513 may slide, and body 653.For example, as the turbine blade changes the curvature of its shape,the pins 511, 513 may slide toward and/or away from the core 534. Someother portions of the turbine illustrated in FIG. 6 are described abovewith reference to FIG. 5. For example, frame portions 640, 606, 604, 642and pivot points 636, 608, 638 are similar to the frame portions 540,506, 504, 542 and the pivot points 536, 508, 538, respectively.Planetary gear 671 may be located near the core 534. Hole 804 is forinserting pin 511 into the bracket. The planetary gear 671 may transmitthe kinetic energy generated from the movement of blades to a motorgenerator that may be located at the end regions, as described ingreater detail above. A portion of the turbine 680 may include tensioncables/belt providing mechanical support and/or rigidity to the flexiblematerial/sheet 682 of the turbine 680. One of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that the flexible sheet 682 may include or be formedfrom of a wide variety of material, which may include various materialsranging from cloth to metal sheets, as well as various other suitablematerials. The nut 607 may be used to tighten or loosen the tension ofcables 611 and/or the blade(s) 162 and the cage belts as well. Forexample, when the distance between the connectors 106 and 108 increase,the tension cables/belts and the cage belts will tighten. When thisdistance decreases, the cage belts and/or the blade(s) 162 including thetension cables/belts will loosen. The tension of the tensioncables/belts may be separately adjusted. The portion 690 of the turbine680 may be similar to another portion 600 of the turbine 680. Theturbine 680 may also include a control gearbox 650. One of ordinaryskill in the art will understand that the foregoing is merely oneexample of achieving the features described herein. Alternativeconfigurations and systems may be implemented without deviating from thescope of the present disclosure. Additional information about thecontrol gearbox 650 is provided below, inter alia, with reference toFIGS. 7A-7B.

Similar portions of the turbine may have complementary aspects. Forinstance, one half of the turbine frame 670 (and therefore the turbineblade 682) may form a convex-like shape while another half of theturbine frame 670 (and therefore the turbine blade 682) may form aconcave-like shape. For example, one half of the turbine frame may forma first shape (e.g. a convex-like shape) when (i) a connection (e.g., acable) between A and U is shortened and/or (ii) a connection (e.g., acable) between B and V is lengthened; concurrently, another half of theturbine frame may form a (complementary) second shape (e.g. aconcave-like shape) when (i) a connection (e.g., a cable) between C andV is shortened and/or (ii) a connection (e.g., a cable) between D and Uis lengthened. As such, a configuration of the frame portions 540, 506,504, 542 and the pivot points 536, 508, 538 forming a convex-like shapefor one half of the turbine blade 682 may exist concurrently with aconfiguration of the frame portions 640, 606, 604, 642 and the pivotpoints, 636, 608, 638 forming a concave-like shape for another half ofthe turbine blade 682.

FIGS. 7A-7B are diagrams illustrating various cross-sectional views ofvarious portions of example blade controllers of the apparatus 100. Asdescribed above, the apparatus 100 may include a control gearbox 650.The control gearbox 650 may include a quadrate pulley 702. The quadratepulley 702 may operate in accordance with one or more pulleys or cablepipes 525, 527, 727, 729. However, one of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that pulleys and/or cable pipes are not the only mechanism ofshortening and/or lengthening various connections of the apparatus.Alternative mechanisms for shortening and/or lengthening connectionsexist and are within the scope of the present disclosure. The quadratepulley 702 may be configured to shorten one (or more) connection(s)while concurrently lengthening one (or more) connection(s). For example,the quadrate pulley 702 may be configured to shorten one or more of theconnections including cable 528 and/or cable 728 while concurrentlylengthening one or more of the connections including cable 526 and/orcable 726. As such, the connection including cable 528 toward B may beshortened and/or the connection including cable 728 toward D may beshortened. Also, the connection including cable 526 toward A may belengthened and/or the connection including cable 726 toward C may belengthened. The nut 705 and ball 707 may prevent the central core fromseparating from the turbine shaft. The shaft 402 may have a bearing thatis considered on the cap that covers the pulley.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bracket according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure. The bracket 652 mayreceive the kinetic energy of the blade (e.g., via pins 511, 513) andtransfer the kinetic energy to the respective turbine shaft through theshaft(s) 802 of the planet gear(s) of a planetary gear set 671. Thebracket may have spring(s) 651, which may push pins 511, 513 away fromeach other as long as connection cables 526, 528, 726, 728 allow thepins 511, 513 to slide in the regions 654 and 653 apart from each other.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pivots distributorspring according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Whenthe sheet 682 is not flexible and is made of non-flexible materials(e.g., cloth), then each turbine may need one or more pivot distributorsprings 900 at each side. The shape of pivots distributor spring 900 maychange when one or more of the connection cables 526, 528, 726, 728 areshortening or lengthening. The shape of the spring may be shaped likethe letter “S” when the stated connection cables are not equal. Theshape of the spring may be shaped as substantially straight when thestated connection cables have similar lengths. The pivots distributorspring 900 may have ring 920 around the central core 534 and the pivotrings 904, 906, 908 may move together with pivots 536, 508, 538,respectively, which may restrict movement of pivot(s) to the shape ofthe pivots distributor spring 900. Such a configuration may be installedimmediately after the bracket and/or next to the blade frame portions,or any other location near the blade ends. Pin 511 can move inside aring 910.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” The word “exemplary” is used hereinto mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspectdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects.” Unless specificallystated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinationssuch as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and“A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B,and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiplesof C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,”“at least one of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof”may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B andC, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or membersof A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elementsof the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that areknown or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the artare expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to beencompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein isintended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether suchdisclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is tobe construed as a means plus function unless the element is expresslyrecited using the phrase “means for.”

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a cage configuredto rotate around a cage axis, wherein the rotation of the cape aroundthe cape axis causes a lift of the apparatus above the around: a turbinelocated at and coupled to an end of the cage, wherein the turbinerotates around a turbine axis different from the cage axis, and whereinthe turbine comprises a turbine blade having an adaptable shape andcomprising: a frame including a first frame portion and a second frameportion coupled to the first frame portion, and wherein the first frameportion pivots relative to the second frame portion, a first connectionbetween a first side of an end of the frame and a center region of theframe; and a second connection between a second side of the first end ofthe frame and the center region of the frame; and wherein the adaptableshape of the turbine blade conforms to a substantially flat shape and toa curvature shape by adjusting, maintaining, shortening, or lengtheninglengths of the first connection and the second connection.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frame portion further pivotsrelative to the second frame portion when the first connection or thesecond connection is shortened or lengthened.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the adaptable shape of the turbine blade comprises thesubstantially flat shape when a length of the first connection issimilar to a length of the second connection, and the curvature shapewhen the length of the first connection is different from the length ofthe second connection.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein byshortening the first connection while concurrently lengthening thesecond connection or by shortening the second connection whileconcurrently lengthening the first connection forms the curvature shape.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotation of the cage around thecage axis is inhibited when the apparatus is in a first mode, andwherein the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis is allowedwhen the apparatus is in the first mode.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the rotation of the cage around the cage axis is allowed whenthe apparatus is in a second mode, and wherein the adaptable shape ofthe turbine dynamically changes when the apparatus is in the secondmode.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotation of the cagearound the cage axis is inhibited when the apparatus is in a third mode,and wherein the turbine blade remains in a horizontal position relativeto ground and the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis isinhibited when the apparatus is in the third mode.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of cages and a plurality ofturbines, wherein the blades of the turbine extend substantiallyhorizontally relative to the ground.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis-lifts theapparatus above the ground.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a motor to convert a kinetic energy from the rotation of thecage around the cage axis to electric energy or convert a kinetic energyfrom the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis to electricenergy.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a seat, andwhere the adaptive shape of the turbine blades is responsive to a user'sinputs.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the turbine blade ispulled along a longitudinal axis of the turbine blade such that at leasta distance between a motor of the cage is extended or a distance betweenarm connectors on each cage axis is extended.
 13. An apparatuscomprising: a cage which rotate around a cage axis, wherein the rotationof the cage around the cage axis induces a lift of the apparatus abovethe ground; a plurality of turbines located within the cage, whereineach turbine rotates around a respective turbine axis different from thecage axis, and wherein each turbine comprises a turbine blade having anadaptable shape and comprising: a first connection between a first endof the turbine and a center region of the turbine; and a secondconnection between a second end of the turbine and the center region ofthe turbine; and the adaptable shape of the blade changes from a flatshape to a curved shape by adjusting at least one of the firstconnection or second connection.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe turbine blade comprises a frame having a first frame portion and asecond frame portion coupled to the first frame portion, and wherein thefirst frame portion pivots relative to the second frame portion when thefirst connection or the second connection is shortened or lengthened.15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the rotation of the cage aroundthe cage axis is inhibited when the apparatus is in a first mode, andwherein the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis is allowedwhen the apparatus is in the first mode.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the rotation of the cage around the cage axis is allowed whenthe apparatus is in a second mode, and wherein the adaptable shape ofthe turbine dynamically changes when the apparatus is in the secondmode.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the rotation of the cagearound the cage axis is inhibited when the apparatus is in a third mode,and wherein the turbine blade remains in a horizontal position relativeto ground and rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis isinhibited when the apparatus is in the third mode.